Re: TECHWR-L Digest - 24 Feb 1995 to 25 Feb 1995

[Herman Holtz <holtz -at- CLARK -dot- NET>]

On Sun, 26 Feb 1995, Robert Plamondon wrote:

> >I'm wondering if your attitude is the exception rather than the rule.  The
> >few writers I have talked to so far told me that employers were looking for
> >a big list of tools on a resume. The writers I talked to thought that being
> >able to list a bunch of programs on their resume got them an interview,
> >where they were then able to demonstrate that they could write.

> Yes -- many employers BELIEVE that they need prior experience in a
> long list of tools, and WILL NOT hire you unless you claim them.
> he manuals.  Reading the manuals will make you the local expert.

  "Twas ever thus." This is reminiscent of the fifties amd sixties, when
tech writing was primarily for defense industries, and employers insisted
that applicants were experienced with some given writing specification
(as though any competent writer couldn't read the spec and work to it!)
and/or some given model of some equipment or system, again as if the
competent tech writer could not work from the usual source materials.

I managed to overcome such foolish bias often, but not always. Point to a
wide variety of experience and demonstrate or give evidence of
adaptability in prior situations. It won't work always, but it will work
often enough if pursued aggressively.



                                 * * *
Herman Holtz [holtz -at- clark -dot- net]: Marketing Consultant/Proposal Specialist,
Writing & Ghost Writing Services, 35 years experience. Author of 60+
professional/business books, including best-selling How to Succeed as an
Independent Consultant (Wiley). PO Box 1731, Wheaton, MD 20915. Tel:
301-649-2499. Fax: 301-649-5745.